Catalog Drives Brookstone Sales Increase

Brookstone Inc. reported a 22.2 percent rise in sales during its second quarter ended July 31. Total sales for the period were $98.3 million compared with $80.5 million in second-quarter 2003.

Same-store sales climbed 13.3 percent.

A 16.6 percent increase in direct marketing sales, to $16.3 million, was led by the Internet and expanded circulation of the Brookstone catalog, "which delivered increased sales to the catalog and Internet site and significant incremental revenue to the stores," Michael Anthony, Brookstone chairman/president/CEO, said in a statement.

In the fourth quarter, Brookstone, Nashua, NH, plans to increase the circulation of the Brookstone catalog by about 75 percent.